to get us gas for the boat. it's not going to pay the light bill, it's not going to pay any kind of bills-- internet bill, phone bill. it's not going to do that for us. and we need jobs to do that. >> here in southwest alaska, it's easy to see the positive impact pebble is having on the region. jobs. >> narrator: it's unclear how many of the 1,000 or so permanent jobs at the mine will go to locals. >> pebble isoing the extra mile to coexist with the environment. >> narrator: but pebble has unleashed a barrage of ads to promote the mine and wider economic development. they are spending so much money because so much is at stake. >> log on and learn the facts today. >> by the end of this year, we'll have spent totally, since i've been here, a little over $400 million. i think probably around $450 million or so. >> narrator: anglo american is paying most of those expenses. in 2007, it agreed to spend $1.5 billon in startup costs. it could be money well spent. by 2011, the deposit was worth closer to $500 billon as d